For the week of May 1 - 7, 2008

May Day, Ascension, Cinco de Mayo, & Taurus New Moon: Let Struggle Be Undismayed

Thursday, May 1st, is May Day, the Ascension of Christ into heaven forty days after His Resurrection. It is also Pisces moon. Venus is trine Pluto (deep review of relationships and resources) and then Venus trines Saturn in Virgo (we assess relationships, finances and resources). Kindness and care prevails due to the trines.

The Ascension
May 1st, Thursday – Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church
Between His Resurrection and His Ascension, observed by the Apostles, at Mt. Olivet (Mount of Ascension near Jerusalem, City of Peace, northeast of Bethany), Christ taught the disciples inner esoteric truths (about the Soul, producing spiritual currents of Light within the body). His teachings were preparing His disciples for Pentecost (fifty days after the Resurrection when the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, Ray 3, descends in tongues of fire [our God is a fire, Agni], illuminating and enlightening the Minds of the Apostles…) and to enter into the world to teach the new Piscean Dispensation (rule, law) to Love One Another. The Piscean Laws (concerning Love, because Christ anchored Love) were different laws given to humanity than the Aries Laws, which were the Ten Commandments. Each Age is given their laws, which build upon the previous laws. We call the Laws of each Age, dispensations. For Aquarius we have been given the new Aquarian Laws & Principles, which build upon the Piscean Law of Love and the Aries Ten Commandments.

“He was raised up and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9), “to sit at the right hand of His Father.”  “He was raised up into heaven.” Two “men” clothed in white (i.e., angels) appear and tell the apostles that Christ will return in the same manner as He was taken. “He will come on the clouds and in the air.” Before leaving the Christ said to His disciples, “I will be with you always even unto/till the end of the Age/world, time” and “I am going and preparing places for you, I will return, and greet you in where I am. Thus, you will be in the place where I will be. Do you know the way where I am going?" (John,14:1-3)..”

Christ, seated at the right hand of His Father, after the Ascension wherein He passed into the highest spiritual realms of the earthly sphere, is then able to be a channel for the downpouring of forces from the twelve Celestial Hierarchies (constellations), the Archangels (of whom the Christ is the Head), and every atom of the earth begins to be flooded with the light of Spiritual power. The Ascension leads to the Pentecost (when our minds are enlightened) and leads to summer solstice when pure light floods the earth.

The Christ, in the Ascension and in His words above, informs us that He has “prepared the Way for us” to return to our original spiritual realms after, being Spirits in matter, we journeyed to earth. We also know that in 1945 the One who has assumed the Work and title of Christ, said that He would be returning as the Teacher of the Aquarian Age. We don’t know the date or time. We know He will “return in the same manner as He left us.” We also know the signposts of the Return – wars, famines, chaos, and corruption along with a strong band of disciples called the New Group of World Servers ready to receive Him.

Fish (Pisces)
The symbol of the fish (Piscean Age), dweller of the deep, often hidden within the waters, depicted that the deepest esoteric knowledge would be taught to the “fishermen”, those who followed the Christ. In the days (it could have been months, even years of teaching), the disciples were taught divine revelations which would advance them to be able to function both on inner and outer planes (heaven and earth) as they worked in the fields of humanity teaching them the new Laws of the Piscean Age. St. John refers to these teachings “And there are also many other things which Christ did (revelations, teachings, etc.) that cannot yet be written.”

May Day
For the Druids of the British Isles, May 1, or Beltane, was the second most important holiday of the year. It was thought May 1st divided the year into half. The other half ended with Samhain on November 1 (day after Halloween). On May Day, an ancient New Year, a new fire was set for fire was thought to give life to the springtime sun. Cattle were driven through the fire to purify them. Men, with their sweethearts, passed through the fire’s smoke for good luck.

When the Romans occupied the British Isles May 1st was a very popular feast time devoted to Flora, goddess of flowers with a five- day celebration called the Floralia celebrated from April 28 - May 2. The Romans brought Festival of Floralia to the British Isles and gradually Floralia was added to Beltane until today there are the combined rituals of both.

Tradition of Maypole and Greeneries
By the Middle Ages every English village had a Maypole. The bringing in of the Maypole from the woods was a great occasion and was accompanied by much rejoicing and merrymaking. The Maypoles were of all sizes. And one village would vie with another to show who could produce the tallest Maypole. Maypoles were usually set up for the day in small towns, but in London and the larger towns they were erected permanently.

In France over the centuries the Maypole has become the May Tree, which became the "Tree of Liberty" and was the symbol of the French Revolution. Despite the new nomenclature, the peasants treated the tree in the same traditional spirit. And they would dance around it the same way as their forefathers had always done.

Maypoles and trees:
Trees have always been the symbol of the great vitality and fertility of nature and were often used in ancient spring festivals.

Roots of May Day celebration in America:

The Puritans in America frowned on May Day, so the day has never been celebrated with as much enthusiasm in the United States as in Great Britain. But the tradition of celebrating May Day by dancing and singing around a maypole, tied with colorful streamers or ribbons, survived as a part of the English tradition. Young children celebrating May day by circling around the pole (tree) with streamers, the choosing of May queen (in Catholic churches the May queen crowns Mary with flowers), and hanging of May baskets on the doorknobs are what’s left of the ancient European traditions. 
(from http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm)

May Day is a time to celebrate the onset of May, of springtime when the trees burst forth their green leaves. Since the ancient days in England there prevailed a custom of "bringing in the May" on May Day. People would go to the woods in the early dawn, pick flowers and tender branches of trees to decorate houses, garden, and the common areas where May Day festivities would be held.

May Day and Flowers
It has always been strongly associated with flowers and the making of May garlands, an ancient May Day custom. May garland making is meant to herald the coming of summer. Groups of small girls, crowned with garlands of leaves and flowers, went from door to door singing and offering flowers and begging for sweets.

Maypole dance
On the first day of May, English villagers woke up at daybreak to roam the countryside gathering blossoming flowers and branches. A towering maypole was set up on the village green. This pole, usually made of the trunk of a tall birch tree, was decorated with bright field flowers. The villagers then danced and sang around the maypole, accompanied by a piper.

May Queen
Also part of May Day celebration was the crowning of a May Queen. When the sun rose, villagers began to dance around the decorated maypole. A Queen was chosen from the village girls to reign over the May Day festivities. Crowned on a flower-covered throne, she was drawn in a decorated cart by young men or her maids of honor to the village green where she would be crowned and set in an arbor of flowers. Often the dancing was performed around her and around the Maypole. (In Catholic churches and villages today, Mary the Mother of Jesus is the one who is crowned.)

Morris Dances
Groups of men dance together in costumes of traditional characters, often animal-men, in ceremonial folk dances. The name Morris is associated with the horn dance held each year at Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, England. This dance-procession includes six animal-men bearing deer antlers, three white and three black sets; a man-woman, or Maid Marian, and a fool. These dances are still performed in England and in various parts of Europe, Asia, and, America. The name Morris is also associated with groups of mummers who act, rather than dance, the death-and-survival rite at the turn of the year.

Facewashing at Dawn in May Dew
Washing the face with May dew was another May Day custom. There was a belief among the women in Great Britain and other parts of Europe that May Day dew has the power to restore beauty. This is why in the Ozark Mountains, a cradle of American folklore, girls used to nurture a belief that having their faces washed with the early dawn dews on the May Day would help them to be married to the man they loved. (sounds like early Bach Flower remedies in the Ozarks)

(continuing with the week) Friday, Aries moon, Mercury enters Gemini (everyone begins to talk more and more) and Saturn in Virgo turns direct. It is due to the Saturn in Virgo that we have food shortages. Virgo is Ceres whose daughter, Persephone, was taken into the depths of the earth (Pluto in Capricorn). To assuage her suffering and grief, she caused the plant kingdom to die (which is what we see in wintertime). The grains of corn, wheat (both gifts from Venus) and rice that fed humanity were no longer available. It took an intervention from Jupiter/Zeus, the Sun god, to bring the plant kingdom to life once again.

Findhorn
The same message was given to the founders of Findhorn (Peter, Eileen & Dorothy) in northern Scotland in our present time. The message was that humanity needed to develop a new conscious relationship with the plant kingdom (its devas, angels, guardians, builders) or earth would be in peril. Findhorn today is alive and well and prospering. The rest of humanity seems to be confused as to what to do as it faces world-wide grain shortages leading to food rationing, lack of food in some areas and food riots; ever-changing weather patterns, droughts, ice melts, two wars, an ineffective government, and the drop in the dollar leading to a US recession. What is our intervention? It says in the Ancient Wisdom teachings that many of these are the signposts of the Reappearance of the Christ!

Saturn direct…what we have planned and structured within for the last several months, now comes into form and matter. Our disciples and structures have been internal realities. We now see them externalized.

Saturday could be a difficult day with challenges, no compromises available, and some confusion. Sunday is Taurus moon. We’re more comfortable and there is kindness all around. Monday is new moon, 5:18 am (Pacific time) at 16 degrees Taurus. The meditative seed thought that allows us to understand Taurus as it builds the personality is: “Let struggle be undismayed.” Taurus receives and distributes Ray 4, Harmony Through Conflict. This phrase is the personality (with the Soul within) moving forward into matter in order to learn all lessons from being in form and matter. When we are in form and matter duality takes place (as we are spirits in matter). This duality forms within us a tension of duality. It is only within duality that we eventually learn there are choices to be made. When we consciously perceive the choices available what then emerges is discrimination, which we then use in the world of form. These are steps upon the path. Join us by reciting the Great Invocation at the time of the new moon. The theme of each new moon is “Strengthening the hands of the New Group of World Servers and men and women of Goodwill.”

Monday is also Cinco de Mayo, honoring the Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862 honoring Mexico’s resistance to French rule. Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in California and in the state of Puebla, Mexico as a regional holiday of food, music, and dancing.

From Wikipedia: “the date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry, respectively. As a result, the holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, especially in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican ancestry. Although it is not an official holiday, many cities with large populations of Mexican ancestry honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride and as a representation of a culture that blends both Mexican and American roots. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez.[14]

In cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, San Antonio, Phoenix, Denver, Albuquerque, El Paso, and elsewhere throughout the Southwest, Cinco de Mayo is best characterized as a day of celebration to honor a culture that fuses Mexican heritage and American life experience. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street.

Tuesday is Gemini moon. We’re quiet, then disciplined, then communicative today, in that order. Wednesday evening at 6:36 pm, another v/c begins lasting till early morning Cancer moon on Thursday. We’re hungry and seek nourishment.

ARIES: Be aware this month of defining your self-identity (a good thing) in terms of what you possess (not necessarily reality). It is good for us to have what we need. Sometimes it tells us what we’re worth financially. But it doesn’t provide us with true self-value or self as valuable. That’s a spiritual lens that needs continual refreshing and remembering. What is the message here? You’re valuable not only in money but in spirit.

TAURUS: Attempt to express thoughts and feelings of love, appreciation, care and nurturance as everything you value shifts about. You’re considering ways of using resources so they become future investments. Yes, this is good. But beforehand, tend to ALL unfinished business, communications, finances, and responsibilities. This may be difficult and will call you to discipline. But you must in order to have the presence of mind for your next endeavor.

GEMINI: Working quietly and in solitude (even if working in the world), preparing to dream and to remember those dreams, asking yourself serious questions and awaiting the answers to reveal themselves is part of this week’s internal agenda. Simultaneously, something may appear that become a resource. Maybe money. Each day search for what’s hidden and valuable. Your values are becoming universal. Did you notice?

CANCER: You need to communicate what’s on your mind, share certain personal experiences, talk about aspirations, hopes, wishes and dreams. You cannot keep yourself isolated any longer. It is not healthy to do so. Who are your friends? Go to them for they provide you with safety, security and a sense that you are loved and cared for. But you must take the first authentic step and you can, will, and should. Bake first.

LEO: You have a deep strength to call upon for assistance when everything seems strange, difficult, dull or restricted. This strength holds you in safety and insures that what you need will be provided. Whatever you are accomplishing in the world now seems comforting and prosperous, valuable and purposeful. But there is one question to ask. If you are unhappy on any level, what else would you want to be doing? And where?

VIRGO: It’s possible you feel restrictions in your physical body, in how you see yourself, and perhaps in thinking of yourself as free and creative. A new sense of internal structure is about to form and providing you with a new ladder to climb which will allow you an overview of who you would like to be and in what location. It’s possible previous philosophies defining you will change. Watch for this. You’ll move up the ladder.

LIBRA: If you take the time to assess your environments, you’ll realize that by participating with others and sharing resources, you’re creating a deep connection between yourself and others and this contact (which releases Love) actually provides you with comfort, care and a sense of regeneration. You too provide this. Do you realize this? Remember there is more to life than money. There is comfort, care, support and compassion. These create spiritual joy. You long for this.

SCORPIO: Very interesting times. It’s possible you’ve become (or want to) attracted to someone (or the idea of being attracted). You want new experiences that lead to feelings of safety and security, and events or people or that one special person to offer you the Art of Living that stays around for a long while. These are good desires and aspirations. Do be aware though that if you attract what’s moody, you too become this way. Be awake and aware. Freedom is subtle.

SAGITTARIUS: Scorpio (above) applies to you, also, Sag. But perhaps instead of looking for the attraction you’re working more and waiting for that big life change (happening now or later or some day in the future, sometime! – you feel it!). While at work though do tend to those under, around and over you. Recite the Integration Mantram to soothe yourself. “I am one with my brothers and sisters and all that I have is theirs. May the love which is in my Soul pour forth to them. May the strength within me lift and aid them. May the thoughts which my Soul creates reach and encourage them.”

CAPRICORN:Here is a quote specifically for you from the film Chocolat. It is so you can “measure” yourself appropriately. “We must measure our goodness, not by what we don't do, what we deny ourselves, what we resist, or who we exclude. Instead, we should measure ourselves by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include." Print this out in large type (choose a typeface), frame it and hang it in each room. This is your meditative seed thought just for you.

AQUARIUS:You realize what you are grateful for. You see how important a home is, yours in particular, and also the importance of family and being in close contact. You look into your past and toward your future and know that what you do each day, the choice of your actions, determines the quality of your life. This is like a mathematical equation. You are the foundation of your life. You will build from this position. In the meantime, have a party, some fun, cook, and invite people over. They miss you.

PISCES: Tend to all communications and contacts that have been put aside till the right time. Now is the right time. Let everyone know how you feel about them, providing everyone with a view of their worth. You know this but others may not understand. It may be you have one good day and the next is confused and disoriented. Rest on those days of confusion. Create a journal of your perfect home. Begin now. Relationships begin to be structured differently. A new rhythm will emerge. Prepare for this carefully.

Illumination, Enlightenment, Redemption, Making Whole & Holy

We rest this week following the Wesak festival, aware always that we are holding in tension (assisting the Hierarchy & Christ) and in care the Shamballa Ray 1 Force released at the Taurus Full Moon Saturday. There are two Taurus Full Moons this year which has caused some clarifying discussions concerning when the Wesak-Vaisich (waters) Festival should take place.

Two Wesak Festivals
Our group will have two Wesak Festivals, one last Sunday on the 20th of April and the next at the 2nd Taurus Full moon on May 19th. When I consulted with other esoteric groups (particularly one in Germany following different aspects [jewels] of the esoteric teachings) I was told that they follow the astrology of Master Jupiter, eldest Hierarchical Master and Regent of India residing in the Nilgiris Hills (Blue Mountains near Kerala, India) and consider the 2nd Taurus Full Moon to be Wesak. Master Jupiter is a Ray 1 Master, who works with the Manu and Master Morya (also Ray 1). Master Jupiter is a great astrologer and teacher. Astrology is the foundational study that illumines and enlightens our minds. Taurus is the sign of enlightenment and the illumined mind. In the Pleiades, from stars Aldebaran and Alcyone, we call forth the lights that illumine our minds.

Why Does the Mind Need Enlightenment?
Why does our mind need illumination and enlightenment? I answer with both a statement (esoteric) and questions. The questions first - in our present world crisis, the effects seen now on regular news reports, how will we individually, within our community, village, state, nation and the world work with the present and more-to-come food shortages; the looming economic reorientation and present recession; our broken government; the two wars; massive migrations of humanity due to wars and poverty; and the ever accelerating shifting of the weather patterns creating droughts, melting ice, earth changes, warming waters, etc.? Do we have any answers as a (world) community? Are we in a community that asks these questions and are there answers being sought? Yes, there are answers. Who is asking and who is listening?

Mayas, Glamours, Illusions Dispelled
Why does our mind need illumination and enlightenment? Because light (enlightenment/illumination) dispels glamours (emotional distortions, beliefs, attachments that keep us from reality & truths), illusions (distortions on the mental plane of thought and ideas); and maya (distortions of the physical brain in what it thinks). What keeps us from seeing clearly the present dangers in our world and what keeps us from asking the right questions, finding answers and entering into community? The distortions (which are a developmental stage).

Buddha’s (Wesak, Taurus) Purpose
The Buddha’s presence and purpose on Earth 500 BC was to prepare humanity for the Christ message of Love (and an anchoring of a strand of Spirit Will) by bringing the Light of Knowledge (knowledge enlightens and illumines our minds) to Earth. This Light dispelled the glamours (emotional distortions), the illusions (mental distortions, and mayas (physical distortions) within humanity living at that time (us, long ago). When all personality level distortions are dispelled then we are able to: see clearly what is occurring on our planet today; ask the necessary questions to assist in safeguarding humanity; move toward Right Action, which means the creation of community discussion and thinking leading to the Art of Sharing (which is the Art of Living in the Aquarian Age); understand the message of the Christ (Soul) who came to earth to anchor Love, to inaugurate the Piscean Age of faith (after the wars of Aries), and to anchor the first strand of Will (of the Father, Spiritual Will). The Buddha brought us Light and prepared us to be disciples. The Christ brought Love and called the Disciples to Initiation. They are Brothers. They call us today at the Aries, Taurus & Gemini Full Moon festivals.

The Pope, Messenger, Redeemer
Who watched the Pope last week as he visited the United States, Washington and the United Nations (humanity’s universal home)? Did you notice that the Vatican is a permanent observer at the UN and that the Pope (Father, Ray 1) entered into the masses of humanity (Ray 3) and New York City (Ray 3) via a helicopter (He will come in the air) landing on Wall St. the financial district (Ray 3) and thus the most in-matter (on purpose) city in the world?

Pope at the United Nations
Did everyone see the Pope at the United Nations (Scorpio Sun)? He inaugurated the Wesak (Taurus) Festival and Passover; blessed the universal home of humanity (the United Nations); forged conciliation between the Jewish and Catholic faiths. prayed for those who sacrificed their lives in Iraq in the UN Meditation Room where, at the center is a rectangular block of iron ore as altar. Above the Meditation Room and the iron ore (mineral kingdom, Ray 7 of form and matter and wherever there is Ray 7, Ray 1, the Father, Spirit, must enter) is the General Assembly where great leaders of nations meet and discuss world policies.

Soul Is the Great Observer
When considering that the UN has a permanent observer role in the United Nations, did everyone remember that the Soul is the Great Observer and that being an observer (as the Vatican is at the United Nations) symbolizes identification with the Soul whose qualities are unity, synthesis, love, Right Relations, consciousness, etc.). The Pope’s message and purpose for visiting the United States (Cancer Sun and the Pope is now progressed Cancer Sun, the great nurturer and the Gate through which Spirit enters Matter – Cancer is Ray 3 & Ray 7, construction of the new culture and civilization) was that Christ is our Hope for the future. Christ is the code word for what? Who knows?

Goodwill
In all of his speeches, whether to the young or old, the grieving or the faithful, in public or private, no matter what religion, the Pope used the words “men and women of Goodwill.” These words and actions are signposts toward the Reappearance of the Christ (more on this in another column).

To Redeem Means to Make Whole & Holy – to Sanctify
The Pope visited Ground Zero, which is now a memorial to those who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. We live in a nation created to be a model of freedom and liberty. Cancer symbolizes liberty. We have from France (Rays 3 & 5), the gift of the Statue of Liberty and our U.S. Sun is Cancer 9Rays 3 & 7). Liberty is our theme, what we are learning about; our meditative seed thought; our task and the future for our world. The Pope came to the city when our freedom and liberty were threatened and in his blessing of that holy ground, he redeemed that ground (NYC), which means he make it whole and holy.

The Week:
The relatively quiet week: Thursday Mars in Cancer opposes Jupiter in Capricorn. An integration should occur today between personal and professional, individual & collective, home and the world. A v/c begins at 2:37 pm (Pacific time), lasting till early morning. Friday and Saturday are Capricorn moon. Friday is the feast day of St. Mark, one of the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). Sunday Passover ends, it’s v/c from 7:18 am till 2:27 pm when moon enters Aquarius. We feel free and a bit rebellious. Monday the moon’s light decreases, it rises at midnight in the eastern sky moving through the sky till early morning. She is in her waning (disintegrating) phase or the 4th quarter moon phase where we are called to reflect back upon what we have accomplished in the last three weeks, recognize, reorganize, reprioritize, rest a bit while planning for the new moon in a week.

Tuesday we feel the multiple shifting of the planets after a relatively quiet week. Mercury squares Neptune and we’re hazy and confused. The Moon makes difficult connections to the planets – we feel hurt, veiled, challenges, uncompromised and seek friendships in the afternoon and evening. Late night (11:11 pm) the moon enters Pisces. Wednesday morning, 6:34 am, Venus enters Taurus. All of a sudden beauty, money, resources, finances are the subjects of our conversations (more so). And in 1939 the then President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to be on television. What did he tell our nation?

ARIES: You are rethinking the impact your work makes on your life and will, in the next months, consider what is best professionally. In the meantime, you must assess your health. Is it excellent? Do you need medical check ups? For the next year or so, you may (or already do) feel stiff, rickety, older than your age, and a bit grumpy (lots of time). More calcium/magnesium will be needed to ease bones and joints. A naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist would be good to consult. And your dentist.

TAURUS: What changes must be made? Who must be contacted to bring your ideas into matter and form? You have an illumined mind but sometimes cannot bring those heavenly impressions into the world. There are those around who can, would and will help. Ask them and override your Taurus feeling that you can do everything alone. You are to create community where many people work together in a sustained effort for the new culture and civilization.

GEMINI: What spiritual and then social connections needs re-establishing. What humanitarian activities are you being called to? Did you begin to study the United Nations? As I watched the Pope there last week I thought of you working at the United Nations or creating one where you live. The UN is humanity’s home. It’s possibly yours, too. Do not ignore this. The UN is an “externalization of the Hierarchy.” I know you understand this.

CANCER: How are others relating to you? Are you maintaining in all areas of your life Right Human Relations? You are to create these wherever everywhere for you are to initiate the next new developmental stage of humanity in your environments. This new stage is their realization that to create Right Relations one must have at all times the intentions for Goodwill. Then justice and human rights issues, if conflicted, dissolve. You can do this.

LEO: What are your religious and spiritual orientations these days? Does what you believe spiritually fulfill you? Have you thought of making a pilgrimage to a holy place? To a monastery or seminary or perhaps to walk Spain’s Camino de Santiago. Pilgrimages are long journeys containing great spiritual, moral and ecological significances. There are pilgrimages in all faiths. A pilgrim is a seeker. You are seeking. What deeply within you do you seek? It will find you.

VIRGO: You need to explore some serious fun that will expand your day to day life, give you something different to wake up to, provide you with a new creative structure, let you feel you’re climbing the ladder of a new self-identity, and let you know you’re part of the world, civilization and culture. You may feel strict with yourself and wake up with sore muscles. Quick, beginning now and for the next two years, create a spa and exercise schedule and make this your first priority of each day.

LIBRA: Is there a change in resources that you must soon contemplate? Is there someone you need to talk with but can’t, won’t, don’t, because it’s not safe? Is there someone you need to speak with to offer safety, care and succor? What changes in your daily life have occurred that seem to have plummeted you to the bottom of life so that all you can see is up? Great expansions of practical wisdom are coming your way. Careful when exercising or playing that you don’t hurt yourself. Just be careful.

SCORPIO: So, are you being efficient and orderly each day, especially at work? To become more accomplished in the future, having the immediate environment in a state of beauty and order will facilitate the changes soon to arrive. It’s possible bringing order to your environment becomes a wound as you’re awash in a life well lived. You may need help and assistance. Like your Taurus opposite, ask and it will be given, reach out and you will be held.

SAGITTARIUS: You’re in a time of a great amount of work to be done and done well. You’ll be called upon to stabilize others in your workplace, to give them incentives, praise, and recognition. This is an art and if you don’t know how to accomplish this you’ll learn. You’re to illumine the minds of others, which actually you always do (while also seeking your own) but perhaps you’re unaware of this. Should you take this task of illuminating others seriously how would you live your life and do you work differently? Would your work change?

CAPRICORN: Have you begun to have any fun? Soon you should and will. More than usual. Fun, games and play will actually tabularize and strengthen you. Yes, you are already strong, but there’s a weariness to constantly and ceaselessly strive to be the best (a coded spiritual task). Is there a question concerning your faith, your church, church in general, religion, or spirituality. The answer is yes, do it. The values and morals you seek are there.

AQUARIUS: Your life and health are getting better and better. There’s a quote by the French psychologist pharmacist, who introduced a new method of psychotherapy Émile Coué that reads “Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux.” (Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better). This is called a “coueism.” It applies to you, oui? Do repeat this over and over, routinely and with ritual, morning and evening of each and every day. Then do your evening renewal.

PISCES: Careful with health this week. Difficult transits could create a difficult digestive situation. It’s temporary and could be avoided if you are extremely attentive to proper foods (mostly veggies, salads, lean proteins), proper attitudes (recite what is suggested for Aquarius), rest and lots of fresh air and prana (sun) to keep you vivified. What is it that you need in the coming months and year? Tell everyone. There’s a place for you.

Unifying & Stabilizing Humanity – Wesak, the Pope & Passover

Five spiritualizing (and one social) events occur this week in our world.

1. the Wesak Taurus Full Moon festival (1st of two Taurus Full Moons);
2. Passover;
3. Pope Benedict visits Washington D.C., the President, NYC, the most important spiritual inlet, various cathedrals, Ground Zero, Yankee Stadium, and the United Nations during the days of the Taurus Buddha Full Moon Wesak Festival;
4. transiting Uranus in Pisces squares the U.S. Mars; and
5. Sun enters Taurus, sign of stabilization, security and constancy

If we ponder upon the synchronizing effects of these multiple festivals and occurrences, the potency is apparent.

Wesak is the Festival of the Buddha (Wisdom) whose light contains for humanity, God’s purpose (from Shamballa, Ray 1). The Buddha represents Eastern spirituality, Wisdom, the Ancient Ones. The Pope (visiting NYC, Ground Zero, offering Mass at Yankee Stadium with the altar situated at 2nd base) represents Western Spirituality, the Love aspect of God (Christ).

On Saturday, the 20th of April, East and West (Wisdom & Love, Ray 2) come together just as the Ray 1 force of Shamballa is distributed to the Christ (Ray 2) in New York City (Ray 3). A triangle is thus formed within our world (Rays 1, 2, 3 representing the Trinity of God, the Holy Family, the Three Spiritual Aspects of God, and the alignment of the three major Kingdoms – Shamballa, Hierarchy & Humanity.

Passover, also on Saturday, represents humanity’s (Hebrews left Egypt, entered the desert for forty years for purification, then entered Canaan, the land of milk and honey-Israel) passage long ago from one age (Taurus, Ray 4) to the next (Aries, Rays 1 & 7). We, too, are in the “passage of the Ages”; passing from Pisces (Ray 6) to Aquarius (Ray 5) with its accompanying tumult and crisis. (We are beginning the transitional “desert” experience. And we may need to pray for “manna” for our survival.)

What we have on our planet this week with these simultaneous events occurring is a unified spiritual approach (spiritual festivals occurring on the same day), which has the purpose of stabilizing and strengthening all of (many suffering) humanity. Let us welcome the Pope in his US pilgrimage and pray for his protection during the Uranus/Mars transit. Let us also help strengthen (and uplift) humanity during the Wesak festival by reciting the World Prayer, the Great Invocation, together early Sunday morning at the Wesak Festival. We will also, on inner etheric levels, join the Great Ones in the Himalyan Wesak Valley for the Festival.

Wesak Preparation
Dear Readers and NGWS, The best preparation for Wesak comes directly from the Tibetan’s books, the books & quotes are thus listed below. (It would be good to place them into your Esoteric Journals for study & next year’s references.) The information from the Tibetan (creating knowledge within us, the foundation for Wisdom) allows us to stand together during Wesak, this 2nd Spring Festival of April 20th (which we will also celebrate again at the 2nd Taurus Full Moon, May 19th, 7:11 pm PST) and fully work with the Christ and Hierarchy as the Buddha releases the Shamballa force into the hands of the Christ. For two months we will stand with the Christ, maintaining the tension of the Shamballa, Ray 1 Force for later release at the June Gemini Festival of Humanity.

 Here are quotes from the Tibetan to inform and assist us. Below the quotes is how we are to prepare for the Festival. We will be reading these quotes prior to the actual (1st) Full Taurus Wesak moon, early Sunday morning. Join us, everyone, by reciting the Great Invocation at the time of the Full Moon in your areas. “We are ready, Buddha. Come!” Ohm.

Wesak Quotes
"The Festival of Wesak is the festival of Buddha, the spiritual intermediary between Shamballa and Hierarchy." The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 420 - 421

"At Wesak, the Manu, the Christ, and the Mahachohan invoke the Buddha."   The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 160

"Hierarchy meets at Wesak for three purposes:
-to contact force flowing through the Buddha
-to hold the main quarterly meeting
-to admit those ready for initiation."
Initiation, Human and Solar, 106 - 107

"At Wesak the Buddha communicates via Christ and Hierarchy with Humanity." The Reappearance of the Christ, 96

"Wesak links east and west, Buddha and Christ, Shamballa and Hierarchy, purpose and love."  The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 227

"The Buddha flashes forth into physical manifestation for the fulfillment of Plan at Wesak."   Esoteric Psychology II, 33

"The Wesak Ceremony is held by Hierarchy for 4 objectives:
-to substantiate the existence of the Christ
-to demonstrate solidarity of east and west
-to form a meeting place for the faithful
-to demonstrate the nature of the Christ's work as head of Hierarchy".
The Reappearance of the Christ, 45

"The Hierarchical objective at Wesak is to familiarize the West with the Buddha and his work."  The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 542

"The Buddha brings spiritual entities from beyond our planet into contact with earth Humanity at Wesak."  Esoteric Psychology II, 685

"The Buddha carries the impressing forces of the Buddhas of Activity to Hierarchy at Wesak."  Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, 44 - 45

"Once a year at Wesak, the Buddha transmits a dual stream of force - one stream from the Silent Watcher, or higher counterpart of Sanat Kumara, and one stream from Sanat Kumara himself."  Initiation, Human and Solar, 104 - 105

"The Buddha, the Christ, and Shamballa are linked to Humanity at Wesak."
The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 162 - 163

"At the Wesak Festival, the Masters draw down special forces through "the use of chanted mantrams and the sacred ceremonial pacing and interweaving of the assembled crowd in the formation of geometrical figures."
Initiation, Human and Solar, 145

"The channel provided by Hierarchy at the time of Wesak is formed "by the use of sound and rhythm simultaneously employed. By the chanting of a certain mantram, by means of the slow measured movements that accompany that chanting, the funnels is formed that reaches upward to the desired locality. The geometrical figures formed in the matter of the plane higher than the physical are the result of the geometrical movement of the concourse gathered" at the Wesak ceremony in the Himalayas."
Letters on Occult Meditation, 198

"Emphasis upon the Wesak Festival has been undertaken by Hierarchy in order to:
-bring to public attention the existence of the two avatars, the Buddha and the Christ
-to inaugurate the theme of the New World Religion".
The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 347 - 348

"The final act of service of the Buddha will be to assist in the externalisation of the Hierarchy."   The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 546

"Eventually the emphasis upon the Buddha at Wesak will dissipate."
The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 348

"Hierarchy aims at four goals each Wesak:
-stimulation of the spirit of love, community, and good will on Earth
-telepathic fusion of all persons of good will
-invocation of certain great and high Beings
-linkage of Hierarchy, NGWS, and Humanity, which alignment can set up conditions for great spiritual improvements on Earth."   Esoteric Psychology II, 688 - 691

"Aspirational appeal to higher forces at the Taurus Full Moon in group formation and with unity of purpose is a key and critical component to the salvaging of Humanity."   Esoteric Psychology II, 700

Specifics of Wesak Discipline
-Disciples are asked to undertake "five days of a most intensive effort in service, leading to the renunciation of all which would hinder our usefulness as channels of spiritual force."   Esoteric Psychology II, 687

Specific visualization to be done:
Triangle with Shamballa at top point, Buddha lower left, Christ lower right, line extending to Hierarchy below the triangle, then a line to Humanity.
Discipleship in the New Age I, 743

"At Wesak, disciples should meet and imaginatively participate in the ceremonies held in the Himalayas."  The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 556

"As channels, we must be prepared to forget ourselves in the service of touching, containing, and holding force for the rest of Humanity." Esoteric Psychology II, 687

"The Wesak hour is of momentous import."  Esoteric Psychology II, 686

"No cost is too great to pay in order to be of use to the Hierarchy at the time of the Wesak Festival; no price is too high in order to gain the spiritual illumination which can be possible at that time."  Discipleship in the New Age I, 629

"Students should do as does Hierarchy at Wesak and concentrate upon the nature of the coming Avatar, who is to be the Teacher of Love and Unity."
A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, 754 - 755

"A four step Wesak discipline:
- link with Hierarchy 
-eliminate negativity 
-forget personal issues 
-adopt a strict temporary discipline."
The Externalization of the Hierarchy, 226

"Ivory door meditation to be done year round or for a few months in preparation for Wesak."   Discipleship in the New Age II, 26 - 27

"Group telepathic synthesis and fusion are facilitated at the Wesak Full Moon."
Discipleship in the New Age II, 27 - 28

"The clue to one's next step toward the door of initiation may be revealed at the Full Moon during the sign of Taurus."    Discipleship in the New Age II, 21

"A contact with one's Master may come at the Full Moon during the sign of Taurus." A Treatise on White Magic, 172  

Preparation for Wesak
In our preparations with Wesak, as we work with the NGWS and the Hierarchy, we “endeavor to do the following”…

"For the entire week prior to the May Full Moon and the June Full Moon endeavour to do the following things:

a. Link up with all disciples, aspirants and men and women of goodwill throughout the world and in all nations, using the creative
imagination.

b. Eliminate out of your consciousness all negativity, seeing yourself clearly as ranged on the side of the Forces of Light; you are, therefore, not neutral in thought. See to it also that when taking right action in the conflict against the forces of materialism you preserve ever a spirit of love for all individuals who have been swept into the vortex of their potency.

c. When meditating and invoking the Forces of Light, endeavour to forget entirely all your own personal difficulties, tragedies and problems. Disciples have to learn to carry forward their work for humanity in spite of personality stresses, strains and limitations.

d. Prepare yourselves thus for the work of the two Full Moons, keeping your objective clearly in mind and submitting yourselves to an adequate temporary discipline.

3. For the two days prior to the Full Moon, on the day of the Full Moon itself, and for the two succeeding days (five days) endeavour at sunrise, at noon, at five o'clock P.M., and at sunset, plus the exact time of the Full Moon in your own land, to say the Great Invocation with the intent to invoke, precipitate and anchor in outer manifestation the waiting Potencies. Do this aloud when possible, and in group formation whenever feasible. It is the focussed power of your unemotional thought which will bridge the present existing gap and link more closely the two worlds of spiritual activity and of human demonstration.

4. Repeat this activity for three days each and every month—the day prior to the Full Moon, the day of the Full Moon, and the succeeding day. As a preliminary exercise to these three days, you could take an earlier three days of preparation, and thus increase the effectiveness of your effort.

…You will note that what I have said concerns your mental attitudes and your emotional reactions to present world affairs. It concerns also your soul tension, your willingness to undergo soul tension, and your capacity to stand as part of the great chain of intermediaries who are today being called to the service of the race in an hour of urgency. It concerns the organising of yourself as an integrated personality in relation to your soul and to humanity; it involves the recognition of the work which you can do from the point of integration. I would ask you to ponder with care upon this paragraph, stating the possibilities of your task.

I call you to a period of clear thinking. I seek not to mould your political approach to life, but I do seek to aid you to see humanity and its welfare—not only in terms of your own nation or your own political group—but in terms of the whole, and as we, the teachers on the inner side, are forced to see it. I seek to see you free yourselves from the condition where you are swayed by propaganda of a political, national or religious kind, and deciding for yourself where you, as a soul, must stand in this world crisis and on which side you will place the emphasis of any influence you may wield; I would have you note where your highest ideals will lead you and whether the springs of your life's decisions and attitudes are truly pure and unadulterated.

I seek to draw your attention away from the many minor issues, the many clamouring voices, and from the widespread concentration upon the unworthy pasts and the undesirable aspects of all nations (without exception), and help you to see with clarity the major dualism which underlies the present world conflict—might against right, materialism against the higher values, freedom against imprisonment, cruelty against fair dealing, liberty and safety against fear and aggression.

Then, having balanced these pairs of opposites within your consciousness, decide where your loyalty, your interest and your ability to serve will be placed, and then go forward to further the ends of one or other of the two groups, at no matter what cost, but knowing where you stand and why you stand there.

That the will of Shamballa may be enabled to express itself through love and through the meditation of the Hierarchy, working through all disciples, aspirants and men and women of goodwill, is the earnest prayer of your fellow disciple and co-worker."

From The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, pp. 226-29

ARIES: By now your leadership has emerged and everyone knows about it and some will think you’re driven (you are) and others will think you’re arrogant (you shouldn’t be), others will follow you (treat them with care) and others won’t (that’s OK). With everything at stake tend to how you present yourself, your conduct (manners and politeness), keep promises, and don’t fall into exhaustion. You’ve a long road ahead. The Shamballa force is leading.

TAURUS: Daily we find you in active investigation and research, learning about the planetary changes and figuring out how to best respond to respond by creating a new reality fully prepared for humanity’s needs. If not yet doing this then you will soon. You realize that at all beginnings one must keep quiet so the initial energies are not dispersed (and evaporate). You are correct. Maintain your silence till it’s revelation time.

GEMINI: Share with others your plans because once they’re known you will set up connections that are beyond usual contacts into realms where humanitarian concerns are the primary focus. Deep down inside you have hopes and wishes, desires and aspirations to assist humanity. I suggest a study of the United Nations. Find your way there. The UN astrology chart has Moon & Uranus in Gemini. The moon comforts (it’s home) and Uranus reveals. They call you.

CANCER: Perhaps, feeling tired of your usual work, you distanced yourself. Surprisingly missing work, you reestablished yourself within a new context – that of friendships. This is good because you are needed, appreciated and recognized even without your realization. Be therefore very attentive to the positive in an attempt to dislodge all that isn’t. This creates self-confidence and greater truth, which you always seek. Your mantram: “Let reality govern my every thought.”

LEO: Have you been calm recently or must you summon calmness from deep within? Are you thinking of traveling or important humanitarian matters at a distance? Are you in touch with relatives? And are you communicating without irritation and irritability? Future plans are about to arrive. What will you do with them? Save your money for some long rainy gray days and for the special travel you long to do which you realize will forever change you.

VIRGO: In your life, what things, events, realities need to be reoriented, salvaged, retrieved, reclaimed and/or rescued? It could be anything(s), from the present to the past and well into the future. Have you completed taxes and tended to monetary concerns? You do best when pondering upon a problem and listening carefully to the impressions. Then you become resourceful, creative, and revolutionary. Some inner talents need recognition. And they are…?

LIBRA: Are there thoughts of change in your environment, large or small? Both are important. In your daily life’s atmosphere try to maintain calming kindness. This will assist in understanding, which is like an umbrella protecting you from rain and hail. Cooperation is a good meditative seed thought for you to ponder. Cooperation brings you closer to everyone for they will feel you support their ideas, endeavors, and whatever developmental stages they are experiencing. Ohm is your second keynote.

SCORPIO: Whatever you find yourself doing each day, begin by saying the following mantram: “I find more and more organized ways of doing tasks each day. This gives me more time for creative pursuits which I am finding are seeking me.” Like the words to Libra, being kind and helpful to others, assists in an opening of your heart that will then reveal information to you, which you seek. Careful with words. Use them to heal (not hurt).

SAGITTARIUS: You may need a bit more social life; activities that make you laugh and let you know life is good. You may also need to drop any anxiety about the future for it will come no matter what you do and it has its own agendas for you. You may try and work more quietly within yourself, trusting that whatever occurs is building you toward success and leadership. What am I saying here? Your life is spiritually planned. It’s already ahead of you.

CAPRICORN: Tending to parents is a good thing to do at this time. When one gets older they shift their security base. Instead of being in charge their children are. This is a natural order of things. I’m reminded of the photography of the young baby being held by his father and much later in life there was a photograph of that baby, grown up, carrying his father. What is the statement? “S/he’s not heavy. S/he’s my mother, sister, brother, father.” This you understand. Teach this harmonious hierarchy to your children now.

AQUARIUS: Being in touch with brothers and sisters is appropriate now. Make this contact regularly. It releases love in the family and between and among all of you. Contact does this (releases Love). Make family interactions everyday transactions. You will begin to advance the life force, anchored in the heart, within your family. Do this with conscious choice as a daily act of Goodwill. Your life will then gain more meaning, which you quietly seek.

PISCES: You are thinking about money, finances, resource and important papers. You wonder how to organize them. Balancing your budget, or creating a new one is paramount in your mind. You want a new life, a new environment, different resources, more freedom. It’s good to create all of these in solitude. Create a new journal called Resources, Finances, Environments & Gardens. Safeguard it as your creative endeavor most important to creating your future. Ask in the meantime, what is your value? The answer comes.

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